Wheeling, West Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Wheeling, West Virginia | |||
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| Nickname: The Friendly City | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Settled | 1769 | ||
| Established | 1806 | ||
| Incorporated | 1836 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Nick Sparachane | ||
| - City Manager | Robert Herron | ||
| - Chief of Police | Kevin Gessler, Sr. | ||
| - Fire Chief | Steve Johnson | ||
| Area | |||
| - City | 41.0 km² (15.8 sq mi) | ||
| - Land | 36.0 km² (13.9 sq mi) | ||
| - Water | 4.9 km² (1.9 sq mi) 12.07% | ||
| Elevation | 209-396 m (687-1,300 ft) | ||
| Population (2005) | |||
| - City | 29,639 | ||
| - Density | 872.1/km² (2,258.4/sq mi) | ||
| estimate | |||
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP code | 26003 | ||
| Website: http://www.cityofwheelingwv.org/ | |||
Wheeling is a city in West Virginia, in the United States. Most of the city is in Ohio County, with a small part in Marshall County. It is the county seat of Ohio CountyGR6. It is also the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses the city and Marshall and Ohio Counties in West Virginia, and Belmont County in Ohio. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 31,419 (31,059 in Ohio County, 360 in Marshall County). The population was estimated at 29,639 in 2005.[citation needed]
Wheeling was the location of the Wheeling Convention, which established the state of West Virginia, and was the capital of West Virginia from 1863-1870 and 1875-1885. The capital of West Virginia was twice moved from Wheeling to Charleston due mostly to political reasons and legislative agreements.
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[edit] History
[edit] Discovery
The name "Wheeling" is of the American Adena tribe derivation for "place of the skull." At the confluence of Wheeling Creek and the Ohio River near what is now 16th and Main Streets, a white settler was scalped and decapitated --- the severed head displayed. Originally explored by the French, Wheeling still has a lead plate remnant buried by Celeron de Bienville in 1749 at the mouth of Wheeling Creek. Later, Christopher Gist and even George Washington surveyed the land in 1751 and 1770, respectively.[1]
[edit] Establishment
Ebenezer, Silas, and Jonathan Zane were the first and original settling family near the present day City of Wheeling. The settlement, called Zanesburg, is believed to have occurred in 1769. Other notable families joined the settlement including the Shepherds (see Monument Place), the Wetzels, and the McCollochs (see McColloch's Leap). It was officially established as a town in 1795 and incorporated in 1806. By an act of the Virginia General Assembly on December 27, 1797, Wheeling was named the county seat of Ohio County.[2]
[edit] Fort Henry
Originally dubbed Fort Fincastle in 1774, the fort was later renamed Fort Henry in honor of Virginia's American Governor Patrick Henry. In 1777, Native American tribes of the surrounding areas joined to attack settlements along the Ohio River. Local men later joined by recruits from Fort Shepherd (in Elm Grove) and Fort Holliday. The native attacking force subsequently burned the surrounding cabins and destroyed livestock.
During the first attack of the year, Major Samuel McColloch led a small force of men from Fort Vanmetre along Short Creek to assist the besieged Fort Henry. McColloch was separated from his men and was chased by attacking tribesmen. Upon his horse, McColloch charged up Wheeling Hill and made what is known as McColloch's Leap 300 feet down its eastern side.
Later in 1777, a native army along with some British soldiers attempted to take Fort Henry. During this siege, Fort Henry's supply of ammunition was exhausted. The defenders decided to dispatch one of its men to secure more ammunition from the Zane homestead. Elizabeth Zane (known as "Betty") volunteered for the dangerous task. During her departing run, she was heckled by both native and British soldiers. Upon successfully reaching the Zane homestead, she gathered a table cloth and filled it with gunpowder. During her return, she was fired upon but was uninjured. It is believed that one bullet did, in fact, pierce her clothing. As a result of Zane's heroism, Fort Henry remained in American control.[2]
[edit] Geography
Wheeling is located at (40.070348, -80.698604)GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 41.0 km² (15.8 mi²). 36.0 km² (13.9 mi²) of it is land and 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²) of it (12.07%) is water.
Wheeling is located in Northern West Virginia, on a tiny sliver of the state. It is directly across the river from the state of Ohio and only 11 miles west of Pennsylvania.
Wheeling Creek flows through the city, and meets the Ohio River in downtown Wheeling.
The city is located both on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River and on an island in the middle of the river called Wheeling Island.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 7,885 |
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| 1850 | 11,435 | 45.0% | |
| 1860 | 14,083 | 23.2% | |
| 1870 | 19,280 | 36.9% | |
| 1880 | 30,737 | 59.4% | |
| 1890 | 34,522 | 12.3% | |
| 1900 | 38,878 | 12.6% | |
| 1910 | 41,641 | 7.1% | |
| 1920 | 56,208 | 35.0% | |
| 1930 | 61,659 | 9.7% | |
| 1940 | 61,099 | -0.9% | |
| 1950 | 58,891 | -3.6% | |
| 1960 | 53,400 | -9.3% | |
| 1970 | 48,188 | -9.8% | |
| 1980 | 43,070 | -10.6% | |
| 1990 | 34,882 | -19.0% | |
| 2000 | 31,419 | -9.9% | |
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 31,419 people, 13,719 households, and 7,806 families residing in the city. The population density was 872.1/km² (2,258.4/mi²). There were 15,706 housing units at an average density of 436.0/km² (1,128.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.72% White, 4.99% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.
There were 13,719 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.89.
The age distribution is 20.6% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,388, and the median income for a family was $38,708. Males had a median income of $30,750 versus $22,099 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,923. About 13.1% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
Under West Virginia law, cities may adopt the Manager-Mayor Plan. The elected mayor presides over meetings of the Wheeling City Council which is comprised of 6 members elected from geographic wards. City Council members serve four year terms. City Council also confirms executive nominations for members to various boards which have limited regulatory authority including the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Traffic Commission.[1] The City Manager serves as Chief Executive and Administrative officer for the city.[2] The current Mayor of Wheeling is Nick Sparachane, and the current City Manager of Wheeling is Robert Herron. The current members of City Council are - Gloria Delbrugge (1st Ward), Vernon Seals (2nd Ward), Robert E. "Herk" Henry (3rd Ward), Brent Bush (4th Ward), Vice-Mayor Mike Nau (5th Ward), and Barry Crow (6th Ward). City elections will be held in 2008.
[edit] Attractions
Wheeling features several municipal parks including Oglebay Park and Wheeling Park. It is also the site of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge which was once the longest suspension bridge in the world.
West Virginia Independence Hall was the site of the Wheeling Convention From 1861-1863, the building housed heated debates on the Virginia Ordinance of Secession, the First Constitutional Convention of West Virginia [3], and naming the State [4].
Gaming has also come to Wheeling. Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center is located on Wheeling Island. It is home to greyhound racing and slots. The success of Wheeling Island Racetrack has generated much debate about further legalisation of table gaming in the Wheeling area.
[edit] Education
See Also: Ohio County, West Virginia - Education
The Wheeling area is home to West Liberty State College, a public four-year college, and a private Jesuit university, Wheeling Jesuit University, which has received the highest academic ranking of any college or university in the state. The main branch of West Virginia Northern Community College is also located in downtown Wheeling.
As elsewhere in West Virginia, K-12 schools are organized at the county level of government. The public school system, Ohio County Schools, consists of 13 schools. There are nine elementary schools, four middle schools, and Wheeling Park High School. There also exist several private and parochial schools including Wheeling Central Catholic High School, Mount de Chantal Academy, and the Linsly School.
[edit] Entertainment
Wheeling has an old-style theater, the Capitol Music Hall. The Music Hall was home to a popular radio program in the early forties, It's Wheeling Steel, featuring musical performances by workers at a local steel plant. Nowadays, the Capitol Music Hall welcomes musical performances of all types. It is also the performance hall of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. It has also served as the home for Jamboree USA. The Capitol Music Hall is the largest theatre in the state of West Virginia, with some 2,500 seats. The Capitol Music Hall was sold by Clear Channel Communications to LiveNation in the Spring of 2005, since the purchase by LiveNation the Capitol Music Hall has remained dormant, although certain limited engagements are still held there.
Wheeling is also home to the Wheeling Nailers hockey team. The Nailers play in the WesBanco Arena (formerly the Wheeling Civic Center), and participate in the North division, American Conference of the ECHL. Also, the Ohio Valley Greyhounds of United Indoor Football play at WesBanco Arena.
[edit] Media
Due to its close proximity to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wheeling is heavily influenced by Pittsburgh's broadcast media outlets which are easily received in the area. In addition to the Pittsburgh outlets the Wheeling television market is served by CBS affiliate WTRF-TV Channel 7, PBS affiliate W41AA Channel 41, and NBC affiliate WTOV-TV Channel 9 in nearby Steubenville, Ohio. The city is served by cable television provider Comcast.
Wheeling Radio is home to WWVA 1170 AM, the state's only 50,000 watt AM station which can be heard throughout the East Coast at night. WVLY 1370 AM and WKKX 1600 AM provides local news, sports, and talk. On the FM dial WVKF 95.7, WKWK 93.7, WOVK 98.7 and WEGW 107.5 provides the area with various music genres. The Wheeling area is also the home of WVJW, a listener supported commercial-free station which also serves as the local Pacifica affiliate. A number of translators and repeater stations provide NPR and American Family Radio networks.
The city is home to The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register newspapers. Both The Intelligencer and the Wheeling News-Register are owned by Ogden Newspapers Inc., which is also based in Wheeling. The Intelligencer is published weekday mornings and Saturdays, while the News-Register is published weekday afternoons and Sundays. The Times-Leader of Martins Ferry, Ohio, another Ogden Newspapers Inc. paper, also covers Wheeling issues.
[edit] Infrastructure
[edit] Companies based in Wheeling
- Wesbanco Banks
- Stone & Thomas (defunct department store chain formerly headquartered in Wheeling)
[edit] People from Wheeling
- Leon "Chu" Berry, jazz saxophonist
- John Corbett, actor
- Rebecca Harding Davis, author
- Joyce DeWitt, actress
- Doug Fetherling, writer
- Walter L. Fisher, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
- Gene Freese, baseball player
- Jack Glasscock, major league baseball player[3]
- Chuck Howley, football player
- Bill Mazeroski, baseball player
- Cy Morgan, a Major League Baseball pitcher
- Bob Ney, former U.S. Representative from Ohio
- Tim O'Brien, bluegrass musician
- Walter Reuther, labor leader
- John Yarnall, naval officer during War of 1812
- Eleanor Steber, American operatic soprano associated with the Metropolitan Opera
- Joanne Dru, actress
- Faith Daniels, network broadcaster
[edit] Wheeling in Fiction
- Wheeling is referred to in Bat Boy: The Musical as the nearest large town to Hope Falls, where the story takes place. It is also the home of the mysterious 'Institute', representatives of which come to capture the protagonist in the show's finale just moments too late.
- Wheeling is referred to in Columbus, Ohio-set "Family Ties" when Michael J. Fox's character says, "let's go down to Wheeling, West Virginia..." because the legal drinking age at the time was eighteen in West Virginia whereas Fox and his friends were unable to imbibe in Ohio where the drinking age had already been raised to twenty-one.
- Billy Joel's hit "Billy the Kid" references the ballad's antagonist's birthplace as Wheeling, West Virginia.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ [2006] (2006) in Sullivan, Ken: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. West Virginia Humanities Council. ISBN 0-9778498-0-5.
- ^ a b [1902] (1902) in Cranmer, Hon. Gibson Lamb.: History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and Representative Citizens. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company.
- ^ [1969] (1979) in Reichler, Joseph L.: The Baseball Encyclopedia, 4th edition, New York: Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 0-02-578970-8.
- Minder, Mike. Wheeling’s Gambling History to 1976. Wheeling: Nail City Publishing, 1997.
- Schramm, Robert W. The Linsly School. Mount Pleasant, S. Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 2003.
[edit] External links
- City of Wheeling, West Virginia Official Site
- Wheeling Convention and Visitor's Bureau
- Memorials, monuments, statues & other outdoor art in & around Wheeling (with pictures)
- The Highlands Shopping and Entertainment Complex
- Wheeling National Heritage Area
- History of Ohio County, WV
- West Virginia Department of Transportation - Wheeling-Ohio County Airport
- Wheeling Island
- Website of the Wheeling Police Department
- The Intelligencer and The News-Register
- Ohio County Public Library
- History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia compiled by the Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer
- Creative Impressions Publisher of Wheeling Island: A Photographic History by Robert W. Schramm
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
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The Northern Panhandle of West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Counties | |
| Communities |
Beech Bottom | Benwood | Bethlehem | Bethany | Cameron | Chester | Clearview | Follansbee | Glen Dale | McMechen | Moundsville | New Cumberland | Triadelphia | Valley Grove | Weirton | Wellsburg | West Liberty | Wheeling | Windsor Heights |
| Attractions |
Bethany College | Chester Teapot | Grave Creek Mound | Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort | Oglebay Park | Tomlinson Run State Park | West Liberty State College | West Virginia Northern Community College | Wheeling Jesuit University | Wheeling Suspension Bridge | |
Categories: Articles with unsourced statements since March 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | 1769 establishments | Cities in West Virginia | Marshall County, West Virginia | Ohio County, West Virginia | Former U.S. state capitals | County seats in West Virginia | National Road | Wheeling, West Virginia
